What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
defeat
Example
The team suffered a defeat in the championship game. [defeat: noun]
Example
We must work together to defeat the enemy. [defeat: verb]
vanquish
Example
The hero vanquished the evil dragon and saved the kingdom. [vanquished: past tense verb]
Example
The army was able to vanquish their enemies with superior firepower. [vanquish: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Defeat is more commonly used in everyday language than vanquish. Defeat is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while vanquish is more formal and less commonly used.
Whatβs the difference in the tone of formality between defeat and vanquish?
Vanquish is more formal than defeat and is typically used in more serious or literary contexts. Defeat is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
